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Method and apparatus for the modeling and query of database structures using natural language-like constructs

  • US 5,495,604 A
  • Filed: 08/25/1993
  • Issued: 02/27/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for specifying database designs including a general purpose programmable digital computer, said computer having central processing unit, bus, display device, data entry device, memory, graphical user interface, and repository means, said apparatus further comprising:

  • diagram means for producing a diagram on said display device;

    cursor control means, responsive to said data entry device, for controlling movement of a cursor over said diagram;

    text input means, responsive to said data entry device, for entering text into an edit window, items of said text including objects, facts about said objects, and constraints on said objects;

    text translation means for translating a text item from said edit window into said diagram, including(a) capture means, responsive to a first selector means of said data entry device, for capturing an item of said text from within said edit window,(b) item test means, responsive to said capture means, for testing whether a text item is an object, a fact or a constraint,(c) cursor change means, responsive to said item test means, for changing said cursor to reflect whether said text item is an object, a fact or a constraint,(d) cursor release means, further responsive to said first selector means of said data entry device, for dropping said text item onto said diagram,(e) text collection means for collecting said text item at said edit window,(f) parsing means, responsive to said text collection means, for parsing said text item into objects, facts, and constraints,(g) first update means for updating said repository by copying said objects, facts and constraints into said repository as records,(h) said diagram means, further responsive to said cursor control device, said capture means, said item test means, said cursor change means, said cursor release means, and said parsing means, for drawing said objects, facts and constraints on said diagram;

    text validation means including(a) first text combining means for combining said text from said edit window,(b) said parsing means, further responsive to said first text combining means, for parsing said text into said objects, facts and constraints,(c) first error checking means, further responsive to said parsing means, for determining if an error exists in said objects, facts or constraints; and

    text compilation means for compiling said text only into said repository means.

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